Evelyn's Cancer & Life Expenses

$9,882
of $12,500 goal

I recently sent out a video about how cancer has changed my cooking because I thought it would be helpful. And I really hope that it was. But the reality is, I haven't received the "Free & Clear" from my doctors. Why? Because I haven't been to the doctor. Why? Because I couldn't afford to go.

Here's the reality: CANCER IS EXPENSIVE! And it's even more expensive when you decide to have alternative treatments. Insurance covers NOTHING. ZIP. ZERO. ZILCH. NADA. NATHAN.

I'm just going to be honest. These last 12 months have been the struggle of a lifetime. I've been diagnosed with cancer, high cholesterol, pre-diabetic among other things. I've had my heart broken, struggled with stress, sleepless/restless nights and anxiety.

I've had to choose between my health and my job. I've had financial blows that have taken me to an all-time low. I've had more curve balls in my life over this past year than I think I had over the past 10 years.

So I'm giving in, not giving up, more like giving it over to God. I have gone through leaps and bounds to project the image that I've been handling this last year like a champ. And the reality is, I'm exhausted. Spent. Tired. Over it.

And I have finally decided to ask for help. Because the reality is we all need help at some point in our lives. Who was I to think that I was exempt? At some point in my life, I convinced myself that asking for help was a sign of weakness. I convinced myself that "I got it" and "I'm okay, I can figure it out" no matter what. LIES. Sometimes, we don't have it and sometimes we need others to help us figure it out.

So I'm asking you for help. And know that those are some of the most difficult words I have ever uttered (typed or verbally). I'm not sure I even really know how, but I'm going to try. I'm putting my pride aside and just going to dive in.

So here we are, me, Evelyn, with a GoFundme Page.....sigh #humility

If you feel so lead, please do so. If not, please don't feel guilty. I love you no matter what!

I will be headed back to the Doctor on March the 7th for some testing, so my deadline is approaching soon. I also have several past-due living expenses with a very tight timeline.

It's been some time since I logged in to give you an update and unfortunately this is not an update, but you will want to ready on.

Today is Christmas Eve, and I could not let the year end without say to very special words to each and every one of you.

Those 2 words are : THANK YOU!

As I type them, it honestly doesn't feel like enough. I wish I could find better words than thank you. What I want to convey to you you is my deepest gratitude and love for you support over the past (almost) 2 years. Earlier this year was one of the toughest seasons of my life.

Being diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and the financial toll it took on my was not only stressful, but embarrassing. I've had to make a lot of lifestyle changes, hard decisions and humble myself more times that I care to mention to ask (and receive) help. Thank you for being apart of that.

I have almost felt like the past 2 years of my life have been on hold, waiting for this story to be over, but one day, in the not so distant future, I will remember this as "That one time those doctors thought I had cancer". And I will smile and think about all the love and encouragement that I received.

Y'all are the absolute best!!! Just writing this is making my eyes water. (And if you know me in real life you know that I am a super crier LOL)

I hope this year has been good to you and your family, and even if it hasn't been your best year, I can tell you from personal experience, that you will get through it and there is a great life on the other side.

What these two years have taught me is invaluable.
I have learned:
1. Trust God. He always has your best interest in mind even when it doesn't feel like it.

2. To my internet friends and family: I love you! Thanks for rocking with me for all of these years even when I've been inconsistent and failed you. Y'all really are the MVPs! Your support for a 'stranger' is humbling. And I've got some things coming for you that you won't believe. Time to GET IT!

3. To my Tuskegee University Fam: I love you! We ride for each other. No one really understands what it means to be a part of our special family. We ride for each other whether we have met or not and I truly appreciate you for everything.

Just wanted to let you know that I don't have much of an update for you. I had some complications with my insurance that at the moment can't be easily remedied, but I'm hopeful. So I haven't been back to the doctor.

Still just wanted to pop back in and continue to say thank you for your support, prayers, calls, messages, encouragement, everything.

You have no idea how much of a blessing you have been to my life and I will be forever grateful to you.

Also, thank you to those who have donated via PayPal. I don't have a way to send you the group updates, but hopefully you get to read these as I post them.

Thank you again from the bottom of my heart, and I pray that the next time I send you an update, I will have some good news to share!

Just wanted to check in and give a little mini update.
Despite a small cold, I'm feeling pretty good.

I want to thank all of the people that continue to reach out to me and check on me. I really appreciate all of the love

I finally feel like I adjusting to a new normal and just going with the flow of this thing called life.

I haven't been back to the doctor since my last update due to some issues with my healthy insurance (insert major eye roll), but hopefully, when things pan out, I'll be back at it and moving this thing along.

I had a meeting with one of the pastors at my church this week and I was giving him a "life update" and I told him about this campaign. He laughed and said, I know for you, asking for help has probably been the hardest part of this journey, and it has been. But I will say with you and your support, kind words, prayers, and generosity, it has shown me that it is ok to ask for help when you need it.

Thank you for those who have given here and for those who have given via paypal (gofundme charges 8% LOL).

I appreciate you SO MUCH, and when this is over and it's time to give my testimony, I won't be able to say how good God is without including you in the story.

It has been a minute since I posted an update. But I wanted to let you know that thanks to your generosity I have been able to have two doctor's appointments, and get back on track. I am still waiting on some test results from one of the doctors to see what our next steps will be, but it has been such a blessing to be able to go and check on the status of my health! Thank you so much for that. God is Good!

One of my doctor's (a natural doctor) says that I am doing extremely well and my health is continuing to improve!!!!! I will take any amount of good news. :-)

I'm so blessed and thankful to have people in my life who are so generous, caring and prayerful. When this is all over, and I get the "official" free and clear, I will be sharing exactly what I have been doing during this time and what it's like to choose alternative methods and therapies.

I just wanted to check in, since i just had an appointment earlier this week and say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Things fall apart because they need to be rebuilt. Let God rebuild you as we pray you to your healing. Please re-join your City Men Cook Family as the utmost heals you to good health. Amen www.citymencook.com